Legal Definitions

When Does an Insurance Contract End? Louisiana Court Reverses Summary Judgment in Dispute Over Coverage Extension

Published on: August 30, 2024 | By Berniard Law Firm

pexels-albinberlin-906982-scaled In the complex world of insurance coverage disputes, a recent Louisiana Court of Appeal decision underscores the importance of thoroughly examining factual issues before granting summary judgment. The case involved a personal injury lawsuit and a subsequent dispute over insurance coverage. The appellate court’s ruling is a stark reminder that seemingly straightforward cases can hinge on nuanced contractual interpretations and disputed facts.

The case originated from a 1998 accident where Bobbie Sanders, an employee of Mark A. Robicheaux, Inc., was injured while working on a vessel constructed by Swiftships, Inc. Sanders sued Swiftships, which, in turn, filed a third-party demand against its insurer, United Fire & Casualty Company, claiming coverage under a policy issued to Robicheaux.

The crux of the dispute was whether Swiftships qualified as an additional insured under Robicheaux’s policy, even though the initial contract between the two companies had expired. Swiftships argued that the business relationship continued under the original contract’s terms, while United Fire contended there was no agreement to extend the contract.

Federal Court Upholds Dismissal of VA Doctor’s Discrimination and Retaliation Claims

Published on: August 29, 2024 | By Berniard Law Firm

pexels-pixabay-263402-1-scaled A recent decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit highlights the complexities and high standards involved in proving employment discrimination and retaliation claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The case, Stroy v. Gibson, involved a Black physician employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) who alleged racial discrimination and retaliation following a peer review of his patient care.

Dr. John Stroy, an African-American physician at the VA’s Lafayette Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, faced a peer review after a patient he treated was hospitalized with acute renal failure. The review initially found that “most experienced competent practitioners would have managed the case differently.” Dr. Stroy, believing this review was racially motivated, filed an EEO complaint alleging discrimination.

Later, Dr. Stroy was accused of leaving a patient unattended. Following an investigation, he received a memorandum outlining expectations for his future behavior. He then attempted to amend his existing EEO complaint to include a retaliation claim, which was denied. He subsequently filed a separate retaliation complaint.

No Pain, No Gain? Understanding the Importance of Proving Injury in Louisiana Car Accident Cases

Published on: August 28, 2024 | By Berniard Law Firm

pexels-christian-wasserfallen-14125573-14766052-scaled A recent Louisiana Court of Appeal decision, Cruz v. Creecy, underscores the critical importance of proving injuries in personal injury cases arising from car accidents. The case reminds us that even when fault is established, a plaintiff must still provide credible evidence of their injuries to secure damages.

The case started when Rosa Cruz was involved in a car accident with Martha Creecy. A lawsuit was filed, and the trial court found Ms. Creecy to be at fault for the accident. However, the court declined to award damages to Ms. Cruz, concluding she failed to prove she sustained any injuries directly caused by the accident.

Ms. Cruz appealed this decision, arguing that her testimony and medical records were sufficient to prove both injury and causation.

Can You Sue Your Ex-Spouse for Abuse After Divorce in Louisiana?

Published on: August 27, 2024 | By Berniard Law Firm

pexels-cottonbro-4098224-scaled In a recent Louisiana lawsuit, a woman’s attempt to sue her ex-husband for damages related to alleged domestic abuse during their marriage was initially blocked by the doctrine of res judicata. However, the Court of Appeal reversed that decision, shedding light on the limits of res judicata in cases involving spousal abuse.

In Hoddinott v. Hoddinott, the plaintiff (wife) filed a tort lawsuit against her ex-husband seeking damages for intentional infliction of emotional distress stemming from alleged domestic abuse during their marriage. The defendant (husband) argued that the wife’s claims were barred by res judicata, as they should have been raised during the divorce proceedings. The trial court initially agreed and dismissed the wife’s lawsuit. However, the Court of Appeal reversed this decision.

The Court of Appeal focused on two key points:

Can a Public Employee be Fired for Off-Duty Gambling?

Published on: August 26, 2024 | By Berniard Law Firm

pexels-pixabay-269630-scaled The Louisiana Court of Appeal recently reversed a decision of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) that upheld the termination of a public employee for gambling while off-duty. The case involving Carnell Collier, a Quality Assurance and Safety Inspector for the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (S&WB), highlights the complexities of disciplinary actions for off-duty conduct, particularly when the conduct occurs on company property.

Mr. Collier was fired after being caught gambling at a retirement party held on S&WB property. While the CSC initially upheld his termination, the Court of Appeal disagreed, finding that the punishment was too severe for the offense.

Key Points of the Ruling:

Coroner Not Liable for Burial of Foster Child’s Remains

Published on: August 24, 2024 | By Berniard Law Firm

pexels-brett-sayles-1000740-scaled A recent Louisiana Court of Appeal for the Fourth Circuit decision has highlighted the complex legal issues surrounding the handling of deceased individuals’ remains, particularly in the context of foster care. The case, involving the parents of a minor child who passed away while in foster care, underscores the challenges in establishing liability against a coroner for the disposition of remains.

In this case, the parents of Eli Simmons, a minor child who died while in foster care, sued various parties, including the Orleans Parish Coroner, alleging negligence in the handling of their son’s remains. The Coroner filed a motion for summary judgment, which the trial court granted, dismissing the parents’ claims.

The parents appealed, arguing that the trial court erred in its decision. However, the Court of Appeal upheld the summary judgment, finding that the parents failed to provide sufficient evidence to support their negligence claims against the Coroner.

Granddaughters and Medical Malpractice in Louisiana: Who Can Initiate the Claim?

Published on: August 23, 2024 | By Berniard Law Firm

pexels-pixabay-263402-scaled In the recent Louisiana Court of Appeal, Third Circuit, decision of Guffey v. Lexington House, the court delved into the complexities of prescription (the Louisiana equivalent of a statute of limitations) in medical malpractice cases. This ruling provides valuable insights into the interplay between the Louisiana Medical Malpractice Act (LMMA) and the state’s Civil Code, specifically concerning who can initiate a medical review panel and how that affects prescription for potential plaintiffs. This blog post will dissect the Guffey decision, analyze its implications, and offer guidance for navigating medical malpractice claims in Louisiana.

Case Background

Geneva Guffey, a nursing home resident, suffered a severe leg injury when a Lexington House employee dropped her during a transfer. She tragically passed away a few months later. Her granddaughter, Deana Fredrick, initiated the medical review panel process, a prerequisite to filing a medical malpractice lawsuit in Louisiana.

A Car Crash, a Faulty Repair, and a Battle Over Damages

Published on: August 22, 2024 | By Berniard Law Firm

pexels-mikebirdy-11985980-scaled Patricia Spann’s life took a dramatic turn when she lost control of her Chevrolet Cobalt, resulting in a severe accident that left her with multiple fractures and a lengthy hospital stay. She believed the cause of the accident was a faulty power steering system, recently replaced by Gerry Lane Chevrolet as part of a recall. Spann sued Gerry Lane, alleging negligence in the repair and the hiring and training of their mechanics.

The legal journey was not a smooth one. Initially, the trial court dismissed Spann’s case, granting Gerry Lane’s motion for summary judgment due to a perceived lack of evidence. However, Spann fought back, securing a new trial based on additional evidence from her expert witness.

This expert, a mechanical engineer, had conducted multiple inspections of Spann’s car, ultimately concluding that the power steering system failed due to improper installation. Gerry Lane challenged the admissibility of this expert’s testimony, arguing it lacked scientific basis and that some inspections violated a court order. However, the court allowed the testimony, stating that challenges to the expert’s conclusions were about the weight of the evidence, not its admissibility. The court also determined that while the inspections without the defendants present were “troubling,” there was no evidence of intentional wrongdoing.

Driver Not Liable for Passenger’s Injury in Accident Beyond His Control

Published on: August 18, 2024 | By Berniard Law Firm

pexels-dominika-kwiatkowska-1796968-3368844-scaled Sometimes, being a passenger in a car can be a frustrating and disturbing experience. This is especially true when actions beyond the passenger’s control, such as being involved in a collision, put his or her life in danger. When such a situation arises, the injured passenger will, understandably, seek compensation from the responsible party. However, if the person who caused the accident leaves the scene and is never apprehended by law enforcement, an injured person may turn their attention elsewhere for financial compensation. Such a situation arose following a car accident on a stretch of highway between Jennings and Lafayette, Louisiana.

Kyle Jordan was driving a rental car with Riley Moulton as a passenger. The vehicle was sideswiped, causing Jordan’s car to flip over and injure Moulton. The hit-and-run driver was never identified, so Mouton sued both Jordan and the rental car company, EAN Holdings, for damages. The defendants moved for summary judgment, arguing that since Mouton admitted in his deposition that Jordan was driving safely at the time of the accident and did nothing to cause it, Moulton offered no evidence to support a theory of recovery against Jordan or EAN Holdings. The trial court granted the defendant’s motions for summary judgment. Mouton appealed to Louisiana’s Third Circuit Court of Appeal.

The Appellate Court reviewed the facts of the case as laid out by Mouton himself in his deposition testimony. Mouton stated that Jordan had set the cruise control in the car to 70 MPH, consistent with the speed limit, and was “driving correct.” He further testified that the accident occurred when Jordan made a proper change into the left lane to pass a large truck.

New Orleans Police Officer’s Termination from Traffic Accident Confrontation Upheld

Published on: August 16, 2024 | By Berniard Law Firm

pexels-kindelmedia-7714731-scaled To ensure public trust in law enforcement, local government officials have the power to regulate police officers’ conduct both on and off duty. There are certain lines that police officers should not cross, even in their private lives. The following case shows how the New Orleans Police Department (“NOPD”) can terminate the employment of a long-serving police officer for fighting after a traffic accident and reinforce the high standard they hold their employees to.

Officer Tracy Fulton of the NOPD was waiting at a stop light in his personal vehicle when he was hit from behind by a driver under the alias in court as E.C.. Officer Fulton left his car and began yelling at E.C. and the occupants of his vehicle. When Officer Fulton attempted to open the door of E.C.’s vehicle, E.C. drove off and went to his home. Officer Fulton called the police to report a hit-and-run and followed E.C., who was returning home. Officer Fulton then confronted E.C. again, and the argument eventually became a fight between the two men.

After the two men exchanged blows, they retreated to their vehicles to grab weapons, and the fight ended. After the fight, E.C. had a broken nose, a dislocated jaw, a concussion, and concussion-related symptoms. After an NOPD investigation, Officer Fulton was charged with second-degree battery and was also investigated and eventually fired. Officer Fulton was found not guilty of the battery charge at trial, but the termination was never reversed. Officer Fulton then appealed his termination to the New Orleans Civil Service Commission (“the Commission”).